are you now, or have you ever been, A Librarian?

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When I say I'm a librarian, I mean I'm a library assistant! I'm okay with my job at the mo.

Good luck with the MA archel! Just try and think of something interesting to do for your dissertation, is the best advice I can give.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

Although, Nick, Ally would find you irresitable if you were "Nick, our company's computer guy".

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

with a big forehead.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

i worked in govnt. documents and the archives while i was at university. damn sexy.

― kephm, Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:35 (twenty-one years ago) link

I am now wishing I never got the degree. Don't waste your money, it's not worth it.

― Nicole (Nicole), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:38 (twenty-one years ago) link

Well, I'll be wasting the university's money haha.

― Archel (Archel), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

Hey, as long as it's somebody else's money, go for it!

― Nicole (Nicole), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 13:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

Archel, here is some advice: start researching different types of library work right away (if you haven't already) and seriously think about what you want to go into. (I know this is obvious, but I didn't do an adequate job of it, mostly because I imagined it didn't matter, since I planned--without having worked out the details, of course--on getting a Ph.D. in philosophy somewhere down the road.)

Take the most technology-oriented classes you can tolerate. Learn more about that end of things than you think you'll need to know.

(Incidentally, I got my degree "for free," except that I still ended up having to take out student loans, since the stipend that went with my assistantship was not enough to live on--even though I was only spending $225 a month in rent, sharing an apartment.)

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 30 April 2003 14:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

Sorry, I see that, oddly enough, I already specifically mentioned the rent I was paying, higher up on this thread.

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 30 April 2003 14:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

Thanks Rockist. I already work in a university library setting, and have worked in public libraries... and I kind of have my preferences worked out though the course may change them I suppose.

I have to take set modules but the course is newish and part of the Information Technology dept so it's all pretty down with new technologies and all that - which is just what I want.

I'm doing it part-time and continuing to work in my current job as well, so I expect I'll be ok financially though only just...

― Archel (Archel), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 14:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

I am not a librarian, but I teach computer literacy classes in a public library and mind a public computer lab in an "urban" neighborhood. It is mostly pretty rad, and really old black ladies seem to totally love me. One lady the other day conspiratorily sidles up to me the other day and says "you wouldn't know it, but I'm getting my webmaster's certificate from the community college!" then tells me she's just turned 72. Mostly though, it's a big mix of people, favoring middle-aged, out-of-work guys who've just discovered music over the internet and yahoo chess.

It pays pretty well (from the point of view of a recently broke-ass college student), but I'm part-time, so it doesn't actually REALLY pay that well. I've thought of going to school for a library degree, but as much as I DO actually like public service, I'm sure I'd be thoroughly burned out and hateful after ten years, and I don't want that so young in life!

― miriam (serrano), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 16:56 (twenty-one years ago) link

the other day, the other day, the other day. my brain cells are already burned out and hateful!

― miriam (serrano), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 16:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

heh. My mother was a librarian. My girlfriend may yet become one; she has just started an Information Studies masters (by correspondence) at Aberwystwyth.

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 17:23 (twenty-one years ago) link

one year passes...

There are a lot of librarians on ILX obviously. It seems like a great job. Is it? How does one become one without getting a librarian degree?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:40 (nineteen years ago) link

You say in the interview:

"Oh yes! I am planning to get a library qualification, I really thought I should get some experience first...this is a great opportunity..." and etc, and hope for the best...I had about 10-15 library assistant interviews before I got anything, and then I was only 2nd choice, but the first person dropped out.

Once I've finished my Information Management MA, I think I will be a qualified Librarian, or maybe I have to get chartered, I'm not sure...I think the MA will be enough.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:50 (nineteen years ago) link

What is your typical working day like? Do you make the big bucks? Is it lonely or the opposite?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:51 (nineteen years ago) link

It is a great job, you get to help people and find out lots of things, and it's way better than working in an office! The library is a haven for those who don't quite want to stick it to the man.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:52 (nineteen years ago) link

I think I must become a librarian immediately. Me and the man just cannot see eye to eye, it would seem.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:53 (nineteen years ago) link

If you put in a good word for me, maybe I could come and work in your library. I've always liked Ealing. The commute from Northern california would be awful, though.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:54 (nineteen years ago) link

It's FUCKING SHITE.

― Jimmybommy JimmyK'KANG (Nick Southall), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:55 (nineteen years ago) link

FUCKING BORING. LONELY. SHIT PAY. SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS WITH NO CAPABILITY FOR LATERAL THOUGHT. PEOPLE WHO LIEK TO CATEGORISE THINGS FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!!!!

NB. The people in my direct office/department are not like this, but none of us claims to be a librarian.

― Jimmybommy JimmyK'KANG (Nick Southall), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:56 (nineteen years ago) link

I Really REALLY like to categorise things.

I work with a lot of jaded, superior idiots with endless capacity for self-promotion and a hugely inflated opinion of their own worth. Does this sound any better? It does pay handsomely, I should add.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:58 (nineteen years ago) link

What is your typical working day like?

* Check email, delete spam
* Do a few literature searches
* Process article requests
* Open the post, send of articles to people
* Shelve a few books, tidy the shelves, do a bit of cataloguing
* Tea, lunch, biscuits
* Track down obscure document from years ago
* Read the news
* Download some articles
* Read a few articles from Skeptical Enquirer
* Add some stuff to the intranet
* Help someone with a literature search
* Delete old stock

Do you make the big bucks?
Nope :(

Is it lonely or the opposite?
Can be a bit lonely, you need mental reserves or distractions to get through the quiet summer months.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:58 (nineteen years ago) link

It sounds great except for the money part.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 16:58 (nineteen years ago) link

I work in a small library with only one other person, there's a lot of remote access, and we're big on electronic delivery etc.

I'll put in a good word for you adam.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:00 (nineteen years ago) link

Yes, please do. A really long and impressive one.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:01 (nineteen years ago) link

Adam, if you're in the US, you're out of luck. MLS's even take non-professional jobs if the pay is good enough or the job is 'interesting' enough.

I wouldn't do public service in a library, but I guess some people prefer it.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:02 (nineteen years ago) link

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:04 (nineteen years ago) link

Yes, sort of. I do not have the MLA. adam you can come be a lib. supervisor in the hinterlands of Indiana with me.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:05 (nineteen years ago) link

Which part of IN, jocelyn?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:06 (nineteen years ago) link

West Lafayette!

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:07 (nineteen years ago) link

The only librarian I know is an ex-Marine. I figure you got to be one rough tough sombitch to do the job. I imagine him putting ink on his knuckles and stamping due dates on the faces of customers.

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:08 (nineteen years ago) link

I just found out one of my co-workers, this sweet fourty-something Greek woman, is in the national guard and knows how to kill.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:10 (nineteen years ago) link

My wife used to be a librarian at her university library. I would go and spy on her as she dragged a little book cart around and helped customers at her desk. She made a very beautiful librarian.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 17:10 (nineteen years ago) link

any canadian librarians in this bitch?

― Symplistic (shmuel), Thursday, 16 September 2004 21:54 (nineteen years ago) link

Surely that is some kind of oxymoron.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 September 2004 21:55 (nineteen years ago) link

why?

― Symplistic (shmuel), Thursday, 16 September 2004 22:02 (nineteen years ago) link

My Aunt is a elementary school librarian. She sent me a Harry Potter book for Xmas a few years back.

― AaronHz (AaronHz), Thursday, 16 September 2004 22:07 (nineteen years ago) link

adam you need to come work in my library i think theres an opening coming up cos my coworker is determined to fuck up so bad they will fire him and he will get a pay out.. at present i am multitasking: trying to rip a copy protected beenie man cd, warming up the laminating machine and posting to ilx. i have just been mean and stern to a journalist.

― gaz (gaz), Thursday, 16 September 2004 22:18 (nineteen years ago) link

I'm a library assistant now, not a shelver and it's really nontiring! I don't think I'll ever bother getting another job, this'll do. I've always wanted one of those jobs where you go on the internet.

― Elisabeth (Elisabeth), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:13 (nineteen years ago) link

Still happily a library assistant. I have achieved a sane kind of balance.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:16 (nineteen years ago) link

I think I wanna become a librarian too! Since we're apparently SOL cause we live in the US, me and adam should stick it to the man and open up an independent library. It'd start with a cart of books on the street, but just you wait and see.
I don't know how we'd actually make money, but we'll let our accountants worry about that.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:17 (nineteen years ago) link

I get so many free withdrawn books.

― Elisabeth (Elisabeth), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:20 (nineteen years ago) link

haha! do you get to choose what gets withdrawn?

― gaz (gaz), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:29 (nineteen years ago) link

i might go and withdraw something right now.

― gaz (gaz), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:31 (nineteen years ago) link

from the stuff that hasn't been accessioned yet

― gaz (gaz), Thursday, 16 September 2004 23:37 (nineteen years ago) link

I don't get to choose :( but I do recommend they withdraw stuff and sometimes they listen! I really like sitting down with a whole pile of books and withdrawing them and crossing out the barcode and stamping them with WITHDRAWN, I like it even more than stack transfer.

― Elisabeth (Elisabeth), Friday, 17 September 2004 00:06 (nineteen years ago) link

What did you withdraw?

― Elisabeth (Elisabeth), Friday, 17 September 2004 00:07 (nineteen years ago) link

o god yes withdraw is better than stack transfer. but visiting the stack is nice. in the days before computers i used to have to amend all the added entries cards in the card cat when items were sent to stack...or just rip them out when withdrawn!

i withdrew a cd called africa never stand still.

― gaz (gaz), Friday, 17 September 2004 00:09 (nineteen years ago) link

I never thought about library work. How hard would it be to get into here in Aust without any specific training? My mum was a librarians assistant at my high school and she never had any certs or degrees. I should ask her how she got into it. Working in a school library would be kinda cool.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 17 September 2004 00:13 (nineteen years ago) link

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Drop out of BU.

― It Is Dangerous to Meme Inside (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 16 April 2021 18:58 (three years ago) link

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